Kreate launches construction of a major underground project in Tampere – results of the development phase exceeded expectations

Kreate will immediately begin construction of the underground road connection on Viinikankatu after signing the implementation agreement with the City of Tampere and Tampereen Vesi. This is a challenging urban development project, and the solutions adopted during the development phase will lay a solid foundation for safe, cost-effective, and sustainable implementation. Kreate has added a contract worth just over 28 million euros to its second-quarter order backlog.

The construction of the underground road tunnel on Viinikankatu moved from the planning phase to the implementation phase when Kreate, the City of Tampere, and Tampereen Vesi signed a contract worth just over 28 million euros for the construction of the Yliopistontunneli. During the development phase, Kreate was able to leverage its strong technical infrastructure expertise as it worked with the client to find the best solutions for the project, which is in the heart of the city.

“The goal was to improve the project’s overall cost-effectiveness, reduce risks and vulnerability to disruptions, promote sustainable solutions, and ensure smooth traffic flow and workplace safety in a busy urban environment. Thanks to our excellent collaboration, we found solutions that deliver value throughout the project’s lifecycle,” explains Jussi Timonen, Project Manager at Kreate.

“Together, we succeeded in developing solutions that are sure to delight the city’s residents as well. Thanks to this solution, the disruption to pedestrian and bicycle traffic has been reduced to about five months of the total project duration,” says Mervi Huhtelin, Project Development Manager for the City of Tampere.

The solutions developed during the development phase strengthened the project’s financial and operational foundation

The entrance to the new University Tunnel, which is being constructed as part of this project, will be located on the existing Viinikankatu, which will be widened to accommodate the underground roadway within the street right-of-way. The project also includes the renovation of Viinikankatu, the reorganization of streets and intersections, and provisions for future underground infrastructure.

“The most significant results of this development phase relate to improvements in design solutions and feasibility. We relocated the starting point of the tunnel excavation and will be using the thin rock roof technique in the construction, which has allowed us to significantly reduce both the number of bored piles and the length of the tunnel. We are also optimizing the pile type to improve cost efficiency and design. In the development process, we considered the maintainability of the final system as well as its lifecycle costs,” Timonen explains.

“The thin rock roof technique is a specialized excavation method used in the construction of rock tunnels and underground structures when the rock cover between the tunnel roof and the ground surface is less than five meters. The aim of the technology is to minimize surface impacts, such as vibrations and environmental damage, particularly in urban areas or sensitive environments,” Timonen continues, explaining the technology used in the project.

During the development phase, the functionality and maintainability of the municipal infrastructure were also improved, and the area’s environment and vegetation were considered. Overall, the development phase resulted in savings of nearly two million euros compared to the original plan.

The result will be the completion of the first section of the underground road connection on Viinikankatu: the entrance to Yliopistontunneli and its connecting roads. The project is expected to be completed in the spring of 2028.

The Viinikankatu project strengthens Kreate’s strategic position

The implementation phase of the Viinikankatu underground road connection will begin immediately in week 19, based on the solution developed during the planning phase. The goal is to minimize disruptions to traffic in downtown Tampere and to create a long-lasting, functional, and safe solution that integrates into the evolving urban environment.

“The Viinikankatu project demonstrates how the development phase can create real added value. When decisions are made before implementation, the result is a safer, more cost-effective, and more sustainable outcome. This is also a clear demonstration of our staff’s professional expertise, as well as their willingness and ability to find the best construction solutions in collaboration with other parties,” says Timo Vikström, CEO of Kreate Group.

The project strengthens Kreate’s position as an expert in complex urban construction. The company’s influence is already evident in many ways in the largest cities. In Tampere, Kreate has, among other things, built Tampereen Kansi, relocated the Tampere freight station to its current location, renovated the Pispala shot tower and is currently carrying out a major renovation of the Tampere passenger rail yard.

“Tampere has a great can-do spirit, which fits well with our corporate culture. The Viinikankatu project is also strategically important to us. It brings together the expertise of our various units, demonstrating how we are able to combine development with the specific requirements of urban construction into a single, cohesive whole. These projects, which require specialized expertise and are being built in the heart of a bustling city, are strategically important and strengthen our competitiveness in demanding urban environments,” Vikström concludes.